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Biomedical subjects

M Bermejo

Publications and source records attributed to M Bermejo.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
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Preliminary vocal repertoire and vocal communication of wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) at Lilungu (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Vocal communication in bonobos, Pan paniscus, has been studied mainly in captive groups. The few studies carried out in the wild are on only specific aspects of their behaviour. The aim of this study is to give a preliminary description of the vocal repertoire and a qualitative account of the contextual use of the vocalizations described. Observations were carried out on three wild communities, with a total of 68 individuals, for 685 h. No artificial feeding was used at any stage of the study. The vocal repertoire is composed of 15 vocal units and 19 sequences. There is great variability both in the sequences and in the vocal units, and the categories are not always completely discrete. The repertoire is compared to that of captive bonobos described by De Waal. Most sequences are used in various contexts, and for each behaviour there is a complete array of sequences and their variation. The behaviour patterns observed and the sequences uttered by the animals in each context are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Reduced neuronal nitric oxide synthetase and c-protein kinase levels in Alzheimer's disease].

INTRODUCTION: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a general and progressive dementia and by the presence of beta-amiloide deposits. OBJECTIVE: The levels of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and protein kinase C (PKC), and the relationship between these proteins, the free-radical theory and the high level of beta-amiloide in Alzheimer's disease, have been studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study has been performed in samples of Alzheimer's disease (superior, medial and inferior regions of temporalis gyrus) from control individuals and patients. The tissue was homogenized and the proteins were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies for NOS and PKC. RESULTS: Lower levels of neuronal constitutive NOS (37% +/- 2.5 and 52% +/- 3.0) in Alzheimer's disease derived superior and inferior temporalis gyrus, respectively, were observed. No changes were found in superior temporalis gyrus in PKC isoforms levels, involved in the processing for the beta-amiloide precursor protein. In the medial and inferior regions the PKC level was 5% +/- 0.5 to 22% +/- 3.0. CONCLUSIONS: These results could be related with an imbalance in the superoxide/nitric oxide ratio as a consequence of the non-inhibition of lipoxygenase, and with a neurotransmission dysfunction due, all this, to the decrease of nitric oxide levels. On the other hand, a relationship could be proposed between the high concentrations of beta-amiloide and the decrease in PKC levels in Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Activity of erythromycin and clarithromicin against isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae with decreased sensitivity to penicillin obtained from healty carriers. Spanish Collaborative Group].

BACKGROUND: Empirical treatment of pneumococcal upper and lower respiratory infections must be chosen on the basis of the susceptibility patterns of nasopharyngeal colonizing strains isolated from healthy carriers. METHODS: The susceptibility to erythromycin and clarithromycin was investigated by a conventional microdilution method among 103 pneumococci isolates recovered from healthy children (n = 63) and adults (n = 40) exhibiting decreased susceptibility to penicillin (MIC > or = 0.12 mg/l). RESULTS: 63% of penicillin -resistant pediatric isolates were susceptible to erythromycin and 78.9% were susceptible to clarithromycin . Among isolates with diminished susceptibility to penicillin , 77.7% were susceptible to erythromycin and 86.3% to clarithromycin . 90% of adult isolates were susceptible to erythromycin and to clarithromycin . Overall, clarithromycin exhibited a better activity than erythromycin . CONCLUSIONS: Clarithromycin , and to a lesser extent erythromycin , are good alternatives to penicillin in the empirical treatment of respiratory tract infections caused by pneumococci with diminished susceptibility to penicillin .

Adolescent↗